Both Siri and Google Assistant are popular voice assistants, keen to help you in your everyday life through multiple different methods. All you need to do in either case is to have a compatible device and simply speak to it, asking it your questions or commanding the voice assistant to do whatever you need doing around your smart home.
Ever wondered which is better though? Is Siri better than Google, for instance? While both assistants offer many of the same features, each have their own advantages and disadvantages with Google Assistant working out better at answering trivia questions while Siri is a smarter option if you want to communicate with others hands-free.
Overall Findings
In the battle of Siri vs Google Assistant, both are fairly competent. While Google Assistant has the edge in a few fields, Siri also has the advantage elsewhere. It all comes down to what you’re most comfortable using and what you’re looking for from a virtual assistant.
Available through all iOS and Mac devices.
Support for 17 languages.
Choice of different genders for voice.
Best for basic guidance.
Primarily Android devices but also available in app form and Google Home.
Support for 30 languages.
Choice of celebrity voices.
Works as a genuine assistant and organizer for you.
Both options are entirely free to use with the only distinction being the devices you purchase to gain access to them. Google Assistant can be made available for iOS users via its app while Siri is solely for iOS and Mac users (along with Apple HomePod owners), but the latter means it tends to work a little more smoothly as it’s baked into the operating system it’s made for.
Ultimately, what you choose will probably come down to what devices you own in your home. We’ve taken a closer look at what both offer in the debate of Google Assistant vs Siri.
Platform Compatibility: More Options for Google Assistant
When it comes to compatibility, Google Assistant has the advantage. It’s primarily aimed at Android phones and tablets, but you can also use it through your iOS device thanks to the relevant app. Siri doesn’t have that bonus. Instead, Siri only works on Apple related devices, meaning you’re a bit more restricted in how you use it.
Available for iOS devices such as iPads and iPhones.
Also available on MacOS and Apple CarPlay.
Has a dedicated speaker in the form of Apple HomePod.
Available on Android phones and tablets.
Available through the Google Assistant app for iOS and Android.
Works through Android Auto as well as multiple smart devices.
With a growing number of smart devices from speakers to TVs including Google Assistant, Siri can seem like it’s a little behind here, relying on the loyalty that Apple owners already have to its products.
Ability to Communicate: An Equal Battle
It’s good to talk and when it comes to both Siri and Google Assistant, both have slightly different strengths and weaknesses. For instance, if you want to be able to ask your voice assistant a simple trivia question, you can’t beat Google Assistant. It’s as smart as you would expect for a Google product, soon figuring out your query.
Best at taking calls and composing messages.
Best at directions.
Best at specializing in recognizing one voice.
Best at general knowledge.
Best at traffic alerts.
Best at understanding the whole family.
However, if you want to be able to make calls and compose emails or text messages hands-free, Siri is generally smarter and more streamlined, making it simple to read or send messages. It even works with third-party apps such as WhatsApp.
Crucially, Google Assistant is aimed at the whole family so it picks up different voices well, while Siri is focused on the individual who is using the device. That can make a difference depending on what you’re looking for.
Smart Home Integration: Depends What You’re Looking For
Being able to use voice assistants without having to press all the buttons is what these assistants are all about. Google Assistant offers more third-party alternatives with many smart speakers and other devices offering integration. Alternatively, Siri’s only smart speaker option is the HomePod.
Apple HomePod is only smart speaker option.
Apple TV support.
Not quite as much smart home compatibility as Google Assistant.
Built into many third-party smart speakers and other devices.
Extensive support for almost every smart home gadget you can think of.
Best integration with IFTTT.
Google Assistant also tends to offer better compatibility with certain popular devices like the Logitech Harmony Hub and Nest thermostats not working with Apple’s HomeKit and therefore Siri, without a bit of tweaking and adaptation.
Ultimately, what works best for you depends on how your smart home is set up. When it comes to simpler things like music playback, Siri has the edge with a better understanding of if you’re looking for music or a specific podcast.
Final Verdict: Google Assistant Is Better but Siri’s Still a Good Option
The smart assistant you end up favoring is mostly going to depend on your phone and computer choice. Are you an iOS owner and a MacOS lover? Then Siri will do you just fine. You could install the Google Assistant app, but unless you happen to have a smart home device that’s not compatible with Siri, there’s not much need. It’s great being able to compose messages accurately with your voice too.
However, Google Assistant is generally a little smarter than Siri. Baked into more third-party devices and able to understand the whole family a bit clearer, it works better as a smart home voice assistant than Siri. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Keen to have a personal assistant who listens to your voice and not much else? Siri is just fine, but if you want a household solution then Google Assistant is just a little more useful.
Either way, you’re going to be happy with whatever you end up with, with both services offering plenty of useful features that will save you tapping buttons.
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